Associate Professor, Public Health
Contact Information
Building: Peterson Hall
Room 5110
Biography
Anna Pollack’s research focuses on the relationship between environmental chemical exposures and fertility, pregnancy, and gynecologic health. Critical to understanding these endpoints, she investigates biological mechanisms underlying these processes, such as biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption. Dr. Pollack’s research is based in the theory of critical windows of exposure, which emphasizes that the timing of chemical exposures can result in permanent changes. Dr. Pollack’s research also addresses disparities in exposure, which stem from environmental and occupational sources. She seeks to apply methods to examine complex mixtures to better understand their impact on women’s reproductive health.
Prior to joining George Mason University in 2013, Dr. Pollack was trained in reproductive and environmental epidemiology, and epidemiologic methods. She received her PhD in epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University, MPH in environmental and occupational health from George Washington University, and BA in biology from Smith College. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Community Service
- Advisory Board Member, Virginia Biomonitoring Program, Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services & Virginia Department of Health, 2016-present
Research
Research Interests
- Biomarkers
- Endocrine disruptors
- Environmental epidemiology
- Environmental chemicals
- Exposure mixtures
- Occupational epidemiology
- Women’s reproductive and perinatal health
Publications
* Indicates primary mentorship of student author
Pollack, A.Z., Hinkle, S.N., Liu, D., Yeung, E.H., Grantz, K.L., Mumford, S.L., & Schisterman, E.F. (2019). Vital Status Ascertainment for a Historic Diverse Cohort of U.S. Women. Epidemiology.
Radke, E., Persad, A., Navas-Acien, A., Pollack, A.Z., Galizia, A., Glenn, B., & Wright M. (2019). Development of outcome-specific criteria for study evaluation in systematic reviews of epidemiology studies. Environment International, 130.
Singh, J., Mumford, S.L., Pollack, A.Z., Schisterman, E.F., Weisskopf, M.G., Navas-Acien, A., Kioumourtzoglou, M.A. (2019). Tampon Use, Environmental Chemicals and Oxidative Stress in the BioCycle Study. Environmental Health, 18(1):11.
Harris, C., Willie, T.C., Cardoso, L.F., Campos, P.A., Diaz, C,, Pollack, A.Z., Gupta, J. (2018). High Frequency of Symptoms Suggestive of Endometriosis in a Clinic‐Based Sample of Low‐Income Women in Mexico City. World Medical & Health Policy, 10(4):415-9
Pollack, A.Z., Mumford, S.L., Krall, J.R., Carmichael, A.E.*, Sjaarda, L.A., Perkins, N.J., & Schisterman, E.F. (2018). Exposure to bisphenol A, chlorophenols, benzophenones, and parabens in relation to reproductive hormones in healthy women: A chemical mixture approach. Environment International, 120:137-44.
Perkins, N.J., Weck, J., Mumford, S.L., Sjaarda, L.A., Mitchell, E.M., Pollack, A.Z., Schisterman, E.F. (2018). Combining Biomarker Calibration Data to Reduce Measurement Error. Epidemiology.
Brooks, D.R., Getz, K.D., Brennan, A.T., Pollack, A.Z., Fox, M.P. (2018). The impact of joint misclassification of exposures and outcomes on the results of epidemiologic research. Current Epidemiology Reports, 5(1):166-74
Pollack, A.Z., Rivers, K.*, Ahrens, K.A. (2018). Parity associated with telomere length among US reproductive age women. Human Reproduction.
Radin, R.G., Sjaarda, L.A., Silver, R.M., Nobles, C.J., Mumford, S.L., & Schisterman, E.F. (2018). C-reactive protein in relation to fecundability and anovulation among eumenorrheic women. Fertility and Sterility. [PMID: 29317123]
Pollack AZ, Mumford SL, Sjaarda L, Perkins NJ, Malik F, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2017). Blood lead, cadmium, and mercury in relation to homocysteine and C-reactive protein in women of reproductive age: a panel study. Environmental Health, 16(1), 84. [PMID: 28789684]
Mendola P, Ha S, Pollack AZ, Zhu Y, Seeni I, Kim SS, Sherman S, & Liu D. (2017). Chronic and acute ozone exposure in the week prior to delivery is associated with the risk of stillbirth. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(7), 731. [PMID: 28684711]
Zhu Y, Zhang C, Liu D, Ha S, Kim SS, Pollack A, & Mendola P. (2017 ). Air pollution and gestational hypertension. American Journal of Epidemiology, 186(3), 334-43. [PMID: 28472208]
Pollack AZ, Perkins NJ, Sjaarda L, Mumford SL, Kannan K, Philippat C, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2016 ). Variability and Exposure Classification of Urinary Phenol and Paraben Metabolite Concentrations in Reproductive-Aged Women. Environmental Research, 151, 513-20. [PMID: 27567355]
Campbell S*, Masooma R*, & Pollack AZ. (2016 ). Perfluoroalkyl substances and endometriosis in US women in NHANES 2003–2006. Reproductive Toxicology, 65, 230-35. [PMID: 27544573]
Mumford SL, Chavarro JE, Zhang C, Perkins NJ, Sjaarda LA, Pollack AZ, Schliep KC, Michels KA, Zarek SM, Plowden TC, Radin RG, Messer LC, Frankel RA, & Wactawski-Wende J. (2016). Dietary fat intake and reproductive hormone concentrations and ovulation among regularly menstruating women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 103(3), 868-77. [PMID: 26843151]
Shimony MK, Schliep KC, Schisterman EF, Ahrens KA, Sjaarda LA, Rotman Y, Perkins NJ, Pollack AZ, Wactawski-Wende J, & Mumford SL. (2016 ). The relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and liver enzymes among healthy premenopausal women: a prospective cohort study. European Journal of Nutrition, 55(2), 569-76. [PMID: 25801628]
Pollack AZ, Mumford SL, Mendola P, Perkins NJ, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2015). Kidney and liver biomarkers associated with blood lead, mercury, and cadmium in premenopausal women: a prospective cohort study. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health A, Part A, 78(2), 119-31. [PMID: 25424620]
Pollack AZ, Louis GM, Chen Z, Sun L, Trabert B, Guo Y, & Kannan K. (2015). Bisphenol A, benzophenone-type ultraviolet filters, and phthalates in relation to uterine leiomyoma. Environmental Research, 137, 101-107. [PMID: 25531814]
Trabert B, Chen Z, Kannan K, Peterson M, Pollack AZ, Sun L, & Buck Louis GM. (2015). Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and fibroids: results from the ENDO study. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 25(3), 278-85. [PMID: 24802554]
López T, Pumarega JA, Pollack AZ, Lee DH, Richiardi L, Jacobs DR, Schisterman EF, & Porta M. (2014). Adjusting serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds by lipids and symptoms: a causal framework for the association with K-ras mutations in patients with pancreatic cancer. Chemosphere, 114, 219-25. [PMID: 25113205]
Lynch KE, Mumford SL, Schliep KC, Whitcomb BW, Zarek SM, Pollack AZ, Bertone-Johnson ER, Danaher MS, Wactawski-Wende J, Gaskins AJ, & Schisterman EF. (2014 ). Assessment of Anovulation in Eumenorrheic Women: Comparison of Ovulation Detection Algorithms. Fertility & Sterility, 102(2), 511-518.e2. [PMID: 24875398]
Pollack AZ, Sjaarda L, Ahrens KA, Mumford SL, Browne RW, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2014 ). Association of cadmium, lead, and mercury with paraoxonase 1 activity in women. PLoS One, 9(3):e92152. [PMID: 24682159]
Pollack AZ, Ranasinghe S*, Sjaarda L, & Mumford SL. (2014 ). Cadmium and reproductive health in women: a systematic review of the epidemiologic evidence. Current Environmental Health Reports, 1(2), 172-84. [PMID: 27453808]
Filiberto AC, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, Zhang C, Yeung EH, Schliep KC, Perkins NJ, Wactawski-Wende J, Schisterman EF. (2013 ). Usual dietary isoflavone intake and reproductive function across the menstrual cycle. Fertility & Sterility, 100(6):1727-34. [PMID: 23998910]
Pollack AZ, Louis GM, Sundaram R, Chen Z, Sun L, Hediger M, Parsons P, Steuerwald A, & Kannan K. (2013). Trace elements and endometriosis: The ENDO Study. Reproductive Toxicology, 42, 41-48. [PMID: 23892002]
Filiberto AC, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, Zhang C, Yeung EH, Perkins NJ, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2013 ). Habitual dietary isoflavone intake is associated with decreased C-reactive protein concentrations among healthy premenopausal women. Journal of Nutrition, 143(6), 900-6. [PMID: 23616515]
Hambridge HL, Mumford SL, Mattison DR, Ye A, Pollack AZ, Bloom MS, Mendola P, Lynch KL, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2013). The influence of sporadic anovulation on hormone levels in ovulatory cycles. Human Reproduction, 28(6), 1687-94. [PMID: 23589536]
Mumford SL, Dasharathy SS, Pollack AZ, Perkins NJ, Mattison DR, Cole SR, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2013 ). Serum uric acid in relation to endogenous reproductive hormones during the menstrual cycle: findings from the BioCycle Study. Human Reproduction, 28(7), 1853-62. [PMID: 23562957]
Mendola P, Brett K, DiBari JN, Pollack AZ, Tandon R, & Shenassa E. (2013). Menopause and lead body burden among US women aged 45-55, NHANES 1999-2010. Environmental Research, 121, 110-3. [PMID: 23352036]
Schliep KC, Schisterman EF, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, Perkins NJ, Ye A, Zhang C, Stanford JB, Porucznik CA, Hammoud AO, & Wactawski-Wende J. (2013). Energy-containing beverages: reproductive hormones and ovarian function in the BioCycle Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 97(3), 621-30. [PMID: 23364018]
Schliep KC, Schisterman EF, Mumford SL, Perkins NJ, Ye A, Pollack AZ, Zhang C, Porucznik CA, VanDerslice JA, Stanford JB, & Wactawski-Wende J. (2013). Validation of different instruments for caffeine measurement among premenopausal women in the BioCycle Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 177(7):690-9. [PMID: 23462965]
Pollack AZ, Mumford SL, Wactawski-Wende J, Yeung E, Mendola P, Mattison D, & Schisterman EF. (2013). Bone mineral density and blood metals in premenopausal women. Environmental Research, 120, 76-81. [PMID: 23122770]
Pollack AZ, Perkins NJ, Mumford SL, Ye A, & Schisterman EF. (2013). Correlated biomarker measurement error is an important threat to inference in environmental epidemiology. American Journal of Epidemiology, 177(1), 84-92. [PMID: 23221725]
Mumford SL, Steiner AZ, Pollack AZ, Perkins NJ, Filiberto AC, Albert PS, Mattison DR, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2012). The utility of menstrual cycle length as an indicator of cumulative hormonal exposure. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 97(10), E1871-9. [PMID: 22837188]
Gaskins AJ, Mumford SL, Chavarro J, Zhang C, Pollack AZ, Wactawski-Wende J, Perkins NJ, & Schisterman EF. (2012). The impact of dietary folate intake on reproductive function in premenopausal women: a prospective cohort study. PLoS One, 7(9), e46276. [PMID: 23050004]
Schleip K, Schisterman EF, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, Ye A, Stanford JB, Hammoud AO, & Wactawski-Wende, J. (2012). Caffeinated beverage intake and reproductive hormones among premenopausal women in the BioCycle Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 95(2), 488-97. [PMID: 22237060]
Pollack AZ, Schisterman EF, Goldman LR, Mumford SL, Perkins NJ, Bloom MS, Rudra C, Browne R, & Wactawski-Wende J. (2012). Blood metals in relation to biomarkers of lipid peroxidation in premenopausal women. American Journal of Epidemiology, 175(7), 645-52. [PMID: 22302120]
Dasharathy S, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, Whitcomb BW, Perkins NJ, Mattison DR, Wactawski-Wende J, & Schisterman EF. (2012). Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women. American Journal of Epidemiology, 175(6), 536-45. [PMID: 22350580]
Mumford SL, Dasharathy S, Pollack AZ, & Schisterman EF. (2011). Variations in lipid levels according to menstrual cycle phase: Clinical implications. Clinical Lipidology, 6(2), 225-234. [PMID: 21743815]
Pollack AZ, Schisterman EF, Goldman LR, Mumford SL, Albert PS, Jones RL, & Wactawski-Wende J. (2011). Cadmium, lead, and mercury in relation to reproductive hormones and anovulation in premenopausal women. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(8), 1156-61. [PMID: 21543284]
Mumford SL, Schisterman EF, Gaskins AJ, Pollack AZ, Perkins NJ, Whitcomb BW, Ye A, & Wactawski-Wende J. (2011). Realignment and multiple imputation of longitudinal data: an application to menstrual cycle data. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 25(5), 448-459. [PMID: 21819426]
Pollack AZ, Buck Louis GM, Lynch CD, & Kostyniak PJ. (2011). Persistent organochlorine exposure and risk of pregnancy loss: a prospective cohort study with a biomarker of pregnancy. Journal of Environmental Protection, 6(2), 683-691. [PMID: 22140635]
Pollack AZ, Buck Louis GM, Sundaram R, & Lum K. (2010). Caffeine consumption and miscarriage: a prospective cohort study. Fertility and Sterility, 93(1), 304-6. [PMID: 19732873]
Grants
Intramural
Pollack AZ (Principal Investigator), Letiecq B, Gupta J. LIMPiAR: Latina Immigrant Multidisciplinary Project in Advancing Research for Undergraduate Students. Summer Impact Grant, George Mason University. Total $25,750
Krall J, Pollack AZ, Motti V, Lee YC. Gestational Exposure to Traffic Pollution in the DC Metro Area. Office of the Provost, George Mason University. Total $38,000
von Fricken M, Frankenfeld CL, Pollack AZ, Aguirre AA, Jonas RB, Gillevet PM, Poms L, Rockwood L. One Health: A Transdisciplinary Approach, Curriculum Impact Grant, Office of the Provost, George Mason University. Total $60,000
Pollack AZ (PI), Pilot Biomonitoring and Reproductive Health among Salon Workers, Summer Research Funding, Office of the Provost, George Mason University. Total $5,000
Pollack AZ (PI), Epidemiologic Methods Development for Measuring Repeated Biomarkers of Chemical Exposure in Women, Summer Research Funding, Office of the Provost, George Mason University. Total $4,500
Extramural
Pollack AZ (PI), Krall JR, Louis GM, Kannan K, Gennings C. Investigating Mixtures of Pollutants and Endometriosis in Tissues (IMPLANT) Study. R01 NIEHS. Submitted February 2019. Total requested: $1,633,000
Krall JR, Pollack AZ (I), Tong, D. Hierarchical Source Apportionment for Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution. Jeffress Trust Awards Program in Interdisciplinary Research. Total: $120,000; July 2019 – September 2020
Pollack AZ (PI), Louis GM. Adipose to serum ratio: an innovative marker of exposure to persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals and endometriosis risk. Endometriosis Foundation of America. Total $25,000; July 2018 – July 2019
Completed
Pollack AZ (Investigator), Schisterman EF (PI), Mumford SL (I), Mendola P (I), Perkins NJ (I). Measurement of environmental phenols and parabens in the BioCycle Study. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Epidemiology Branch. Total $134,588; August 2012 – September 2013
Schliep KC (I), Mumford SL (I), Pollack AZ (I), Perkins N (I), Schisterman EF (PI), Longitudinal measurements of dietary caffeine intake and biochemical markers in women participating in the BioCycle Study. Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Total $98,699; October 2010 – September 2011
Honors and Awards
- Star Reviewer Award, 2016, Fertility and Sterility
- NIH Merit Award, Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology Team, 2010, NIH
- Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Honor Society, 2001, Sigma Xi
Affiliations
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Member, 2014
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Member, 2006 – 2008
Degrees
- PhD, Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services
- BA, Biology, Smith College